Planning a trip to the city of superlatives? Put on your seatbelts because this is going to be a crazy ride from the top of Burj Khalifa to nowhere in the golden span of the desert. 

Dubai is one of the emirates in the UAE that is both contemporary and cultural. It is a city of extremes: tallest buildings, swankiest hotels, man-made island, canals dotted with cruises, oldest residential neighbourhood, Michelin-star kitchens and spine-chilling challenges. The first-timers are left wide-mouth open when they land here.

Dubai promises a breathtaking experience: be it going from 50 degrees to -10 in an indoor ski or gawking at its futuristic line-up of skyscrapers. On one side, you watch the rolling sand dunes footprints by oryxes, and on the other, you are hurled through Zipline over the poshest district of Marina. And if you are looking for a happening night life, then a yacht party Dubai is the best bet. You can dance your night away to the beats of a DJ along with having a barbeque dinner and drinks.

So, pack your sunscreen and a sense of adventure to hit one of the most travelled cities in the world. Here is the ultimate guide to Dubai that will help you plan with more ease. 

Dubai Itinerary: Things to Do 

You would have heard, you could spend a lifetime in Dubai and still leave out on something. Isn’t it extraordinary? Such a petite city and umpteen things to do. So, where to begin? Plan your Dubai Package around these things and you would go back home holy satisfied.

1. Hike the Burj Khalifa

A remarkable feat of architecture, the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa could be seen from anywhere in Dubai. It’s an engineering marvel with two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors that offer mind-blowing vistas. You can grab a sumptuous meal at an award-winning restaurant, sip high tea and enjoy the detailed interior. Next to the giant is the visually stunning Dubai Fountain that sprouts water over 500 ft in the air to the soothing tunes.  

2. Visit the Dubai Mall

Housing the most covetable brands, from Givenchy and Chanel to Henry Jacques and Symphony, Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls. It is a complete entertainment destination for the family in Dubai. Eat from the widest variety of cuisines at the food court, watch movies, ski in the Olympian-sized rink and rock your imagination at VR Park. Don’t forget to duck into the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo which is home to a magnificent array of 140 marine species.

3. Go Skydiving 

Make the trip unforgettable by soaring at a whopping altitude of 13,000 ft. Whoosh out of the aircraft and roar as you plunge at an unbelievable speed. Watch the city and its serene views from the bird-eye perspective. Available for beginners and experienced divers, skydiving in Dubai is an exhilarating and surreal experience.

4. Book the Desert Safari 

Need an escape from the hubbub of the city? Desert Safari Dubai is a quintessential experience – thrilling and exciting that will take you on a journey across an enormous stretch of golden land. Take a guided trip to the desert on a safari. Feel your heart reaching the mouth as you bash the golden dunes in an SUV. The safari package is packed with a punch where you can take a camel ride, skate, drive the quad bike and fly in a hot air balloon. Later, revel in an alfresco camp where you could tuck in a 4-course buffet and watch live entrainment shows. 

5. Sail on the Dhow Cruise 

The best way to experience Dubai’s nightlife is to cruise along the shoreline. Jump onto the Dubai Marina dhow cruise that is well-embellished and divided into two floors. Either sit in the glass-covered restaurant or choose the open-air ambience — and you could sway by the gorgeous Dubai Marina/ Creek. You are served a delicious buffet with live shows. The buildings at night look like fireflies in a jar. 

6. Travel to Old Dubai

Old Dubai is a must on your bucket list. It gives a valuable perception of what the city looked like before it bloomed into an architectural fest. To discover the pre-oil discovery time, meander through the labyrinth of winding alleys of Al Fahidi. Browse the vintage items, handmade carpets, spices, jewellery and a lot more at the Souqs. Hop off the boat that ferries the visitors along the legendary Dubai Creek. 

7. Beat the heat at Aquaventure Water Park

Whether you are with family, solo or partner, Dubai’s water parks should be on your bucket list. The best of all is the Aquaventure in the Atlantis resort. Brace yourselves to slide on the heart-pumping water slides, experience mega drops, rush through back-to-back turns and relax on a lazy river. 

What is the Best Time To Visit Dubai? 

Dubai is hemmed in by the Arabian desert — so whichever month of the year you visit the city, you can count on sunshine and warm weather. This year-round-sun is at its lowest from November to March. It’s the best time to holiday in Dubai; spend the days outdoors, enjoy rooftop dining and bask on the beaches. While the entire world is bundled up in long coats during the New Year, Dubai helps you book a bit of sun and sand. Plus, there is the announcement of blockbuster sales during the Dubai Shopping Festival in January. 

Summers in Dubai are scorching with temperatures scaling beyond the 40s Celsius. Someone who can survive such warm weather can explore this extravagant city at half the rate. Prices of hotels and food are slashed from June to August and steep discounts are available. 

May, September and October is the shoulder season. It is another good time to visit Dubai when days are hot and nights are mild. It’s a good time to stargaze among the sands and dine outdoors with less crowd. 

How to Travel In Dubai? 

Getting around Dubai is easy-breezy. All thanks to its public transport and the widespread network that connect important landmarks. The metros and buses help you travel steady, fast and convenient. Metros which are driverless, automated, clean and efficient, remain the most popular choice.Other public transports in Dubai are trams, bras, water taxis and cabs. You must buy a Nol pre-paid smartcard, from metro stations for the use of variousRTA transport modes.

There are metered taxis available at key spots like malls, hotels and airports. You can use apps like Smart Taxi App and Uber to get a taxi at your doorstep.

How to Save Money in Dubai? 

Well, Dubai has a reputation for being exorbitant and ostentatious. The city can ruin the spendthrifts with plenty of luxurious options. But here is the charm of the city- it is equally attractive to the backpackers. On one side you can sleep on 17 types of pillows in the world’s only 7-star hotel, while on the other you can stay in a mid-range hotel that brings all facilities at cheap and cheerful prices.  

So, with this Dubai guide you can keep your cost low and spirit high. To make the Dubai holiday a little affordable here is what you can do: 

• Downtown Dubai, Marina and Jumeirah are happening areas in the city but the hotels here cost a bomb. Choose hotels in Deira and Bur Dubai which have modest prices for the budget conscious travellers. For mid-budget travellers, there are functional neighbourhoods like Al Barsha. 
• It doesn’t cost a buck to watch the sunsets, stretch out on white-sand beaches and discover the laidback charm of Dubai public beaches (Kite, Jumeirah Beach). Brimming with a range of activities, the beaches have a kid’s area, finest sports equipment, volleyball area, food courts, shower and so much more. 
• There are plenty of other free attractions, parks and events that would relax your wallet muscles. 
• Save your cash for the cheat meals while you enjoy big offers from The Entertainer and Groupon websites. 
• You can choose restaurants and eateries in Old Dubai. Avoid alcohol as it is one of the fastest ways to save a chunk of money. 

Things to Remember in Dubai 

Although Dubai is one of the liberal Islamic cities, there are rules that you must abide by for a hassle-free holiday.

• Avoid drinking alcohol in public and public displays of affection.
• Wear decent clothes. It’s a good idea to cover your knees and shoulders. Don’t wear transparent and revealing clothes. 
• There are laws to protect individual privacy. You must ask permission before taking pictures. Never take pictures of women in public as it could land you in trouble. 
• It is illegal to take photos of military locations, government organisations or political buildings for security reasons.  

Conclusion 

Whether you are an adventure seeker or a chill-out introvert, Dubai will fulfil your dream vacation goals. In a nutshell, the city oozes elegance, glitter, culture and miracle. Grab your Dubai visa and go on a long break.